Former actress Zaira Wasim, known for her acclaimed role in Aamir Khan’s ‘Dangal’, recently shared the poignant news of her father’s demise in an emotional Instagram post. Zahid Waseem, her father, passed away earlier today, casting a shadow of grief over the former actress’s life during one of the most challenging moments she has faced.
In her heartfelt Instagram post, Zaira expressed the sorrow of her loss and urged her followers to keep her father in their prayers. She wrote, “Zahid Waseem, my father, has passed away. I request everyone to remember him in your prayers and seek Allah’s forgiveness for him. Please pray that Allah forgives his shortcomings, makes his grave a place of comfort, protects him from any punishment, grants him ease in the Hereafter, and bestows upon him the highest level of Jannah and grant him Maghfirah.” The pain and the profound emotional turmoil Zaira is experiencing were palpably evident in her words.
Zaira Wasim’s journey in the public eye began with her extraordinary debut performance in the blockbuster movie ‘Dangal’, where she played the role of a young wrestler, Geeta Phogat. The film, which went on to become one of the highest-grossing Indian films, catapulted her to unprecedented fame. Her journey, however, took a surprising turn in June 2019, when she announced her decision to step away from her burgeoning career in Bollywood for religious reasons.
Elaborating on her reasons for quitting the film industry, Zaira turned to social media again, this time penning an introspective and deeply personal letter on Facebook. In this emotional farewell, she recounted her rapid ascent in the entertainment world, “Five years ago, I made a decision that changed my life forever. As I stepped foot in Bollywood, it opened doors of massive popularity for me. I started to become the prime candidate of public attention; I was projected as the gospel of the idea of success and was often identified as a role model for the youth. However, that’s never something that I set out to do or become, especially with regards to my ideas of success and failure, which I had just started to explore and understand.
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Zaira elaborated further on the internal conflict she faced, revealing the depth of her struggle with her public identity. She wrote, “For a very long time now it has felt like I have struggled to become someone else. As I had just started to explore and make sense of the things to which I dedicated my time, efforts, and emotions, and tried to grab hold of a new lifestyle – it was only for me to realize that though I may fit here perfectly, I do not belong here.” This candid admission about her feelings of alienation and discomfort resonated deeply with many of her fans and followers.
The former actress’s final appearance on the silver screen was in the 2019 film ‘The Sky Is Pink’, which featured renowned actors Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Farhan Akhtar. “The Sky Is Pink” was her swan song in Bollywood, after which she stepped away from the limelight to embrace a life more aligned with her personal beliefs and values.
In addition to her professional milestones, Zaira’s life has been marked by significant personal decisions, reflecting her commitment to her faith and inner peace. The passing of Mr. Zahid Waseem, a pivotal figure in her life, is a profound loss. Despite her retreat from the public sphere, Zaira’s heartfelt plea for prayers reveals her continuing reliance on the collective solidarity and support of her community during this trying time.
The Instagram post which announced the somber news featured no images, only the stark, raw emotion conveyed through her words, bringing a wave of sympathy and prayers from her fans and well-wishers around the globe. This personal yet public mourning has brought Zaira Wasim back into the public eye, but under circumstances marked by sorrow rather than the glitter and glamour of her past professional life.
As Zaira navigates through this period of grief, her request for prayers underscores the universal need for compassion and empathy. Her journey from a celebrated Bollywood actress to a private individual seeking solace in her faith is a testament to her courage and conviction. The legacy of her father’s love and the memories they shared continue to live on in her heart, and the prayers of her followers aim to bring comfort to her and eternal peace to her father’s soul.
